After the recent Sweetheart Dance, Blue Valley North students discussed the over-romanticization of school dances in the media and the resulting fluctuation of student attendance over the years. According to Senior Patrick Smith, social media creates unrealistic expectations for school dances.
“With social media these days, people try to make it look like it’s always better than it actually is,” Smith said.
Junior Daniela Soto Lio says that movies tend to make school dances more romanticized.
“I think in movies they romanticize it, or it just looks more fun,” Soto Lio said.
Several factors prevent students from being able to have a night that meets their expectations at school dances. Some teenagers feel a social burden to attend the event with a date, which can create anxiety. According to YouGov, about two-thirds of Americans now remember going to dances, and also reported saying that going with a date was important to their decision of going to the dance itself.
Additionally, the full cost of preparing for a school dance can cost between $150 to $2000 per student, according to Terry Costa, which can put economic stress on families.
Both financial costs and high expectations make school dances less appealing, but the location matters as well. Smith says that the location of BVN’s prom has caused students to have less interest in attending.
“Especially for prom, I think if we could go somewhere cool, I think that would definitely make people want to go,” Smith said. “Before COVID, they actually did it [prom] at a nice venue. I think there was Sporting KC one year, maybe the Kauffman another year.”
Another factor that reduces student participation in school dances is repetitiveness. According to Soto Lio, nothing new ever seems to be added to the dances.
“It’s the same cycle every year, of going out with friends, taking pictures and then going to the dance,” Soto Lio said. “Sometimes, it’s just the same every time and very repetitive.”
As a result, Smith believes that there is a decrease in attendance at school dances each year.
“I know people who went to the Sweetheart Dance this year, and they said that compared to last year, there were a lot less people,” Smith said. “When it’s gotten over the years, it’s just that less and less people coming around anymore.”
